Nail file



J. w. GEROW Jan. 7, 1936.

NAIL FILE Filed March 26, 1935 J M fiero Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENT I OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to nail files and the object of the invention isto provide a nail file of such character that it will not leave afeathery edge on the finger nail but on the contrary will leave a smoothedge.

A further object is to provide a device of this kind which does not trimthe nail by filing. but by cutting or shaving the nail, leaving itsmooth and not in need of any further trimming.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure1 is a face view of a nail file constructed in accordance with myinvention and having circular perforations.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the cutting portion of the nail file butshowing triangular perforations.

Fig. 3 is a like view to Fig. 2, but showing elongated slots orperforations.

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the instrument.

Referring to the drawing, in designates the body of the instrumentproper which may have a form generally similar to the form of a nailfile. I do not Wish to be limited to any particular form for thisinstrument. One portion of the instrument, as for instance, the portionII, is provided with very closely arranged perforations l2. Theseperforations in Fig. l are shown as being circular in form and areplaced as closely together as is possible without overlapping. Theseperforations are cut cleanly through the material of the instrument andthe opposite faces of the instrument are entirely flat and smooth. Inother words, there is no burr constituting a Wall for the perforations.

In Fig. 2 these perforations are shown as being triangular in forminstead of circular, and in Fig. 3 as being in the form of slots whichmay be inclined to the direction of use of the instrument.

While I have referred to this instrument as a nail file, and while itmay be similar in form to the ordinary nail file and provided with anail cleaning tip l3 at one end and a broad spatulate clear out to theedge of the implement and preferably in a straight line parallel withthe edge so that it may cut in the corners of the nail without injuringthe cuticle in any way.

It is to be noted that the perforations are so small that only anextremely small portion of the nail extends into a perforation when thedevice is in use and that the implement has the same efirect upon thenail as a file would. The 5 implement may be used, therefore, as a meansof pointing a nail as well as a means for rounding it evenly. Otherdevices known to me have had openings made therein of relatively largediameter so that a large portion of the nail fits 10 within the openingand then by giving a bodily rotatory movement to the implement, the nailis trimmed, but with devices of this character, it is impossible to trimthe nails in any other way except to round them. It is the fashion todayto more or less point the nails, and an implement such as above referredto is incapable of this work. It is also pointed out that in mystructure, the perforations have the same diameter or width on bothsurfaces of the implement so that either surface may be used for thepurpose of operating on the nails.

An instrument constructed in accordance with my invention works on theprinciple of cutting instead of filing, the walls of the perforations I2acting to out the nail as distinguished from rasping it, and thisimplement leaves the nail smooth instead of rough and feathery. Inactual use, it has been found that it cuts better in the corners of thenail than filing does, and does not injure the cuticle.

It will not wear out as quickly as a file will, and it can be sharpened,which a file cannot. It is also readily sterilized and cleaned, as thereare no crevices in which infected material might be hidden.

What is claimed, is:

1. A nail treating instrument comprising a blade-like member perforatedover its whole area, the perforations being small and close together,and the opposite faces of the perforated blade being smooth.

2. A nail treating instrument of the character described, comprising ablade having a handle and point, a portion of the blade being formedwith perforations extending directly through the blade, the perforationsbeing small and set very closely together and the opposite faces of theblade being smooth.

3.-A nail treating instrument, comprising a blade-like member perforatedover its entire area, the perforations being small and close togetherand extending close to at least one edge of the implement, the oppositefaces of the perforated blade being smooth, the perforations having the5 same area on opposite faces of the blade-like member.

JAMES W. GEROW.

